More than 80 per cent of the UK’s freight is carried on our roads with the majority concentrated in the inside slow lane and much is transported in large articulated lorries. When it is considered that one such vehicle has more than 100,000 times the damaging power of a private car, their impact on our roads is all too apparent; premature pavement distress requiring repairs leading to the inevitable congestion and delays. Such delays cost the UK road user some £20 billion per annum and it is readily apparent that as rail is also under-performing, the situation is not likely to get any better, at least for the foreseeable future.
Concrete in any of its various forms is considerably stronger than competitive materials and is thus more able to perform the role of carrying the loads with more resistance to distress. It can provide a highway with a minimum life of 40 years, a time scale that has proved to be way beyond the competition.
Where long life with minimum maintenance is required, concrete is undoubtedly the solution to be considered.
